Customs - Monitoring of fresh Fruit and Vegetable Import from Europe for E. Coli bacterial contamination
MANY cases of E. Coli bacterial outbreak due to contamination of fresh Fruits and Vegetables have been detected in European countries like Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and the U.K.
CBEC feels that there is a need to increase surveillance of fresh Fruit and Vegetable imports into India from Europe to ensure that they are safe for consumption.
It has been decided, as precautionary measure, that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) would test samples of fresh Fruits and Vegetables consignments imported from Europe into India for E.Coli bacteria. FSSAI has directed their Authorised Officers to have the food articles tested for E.Coli bacterial contamination before issuing ‘No Objection Certificate' to Customs.
Board directs that all officers in charge of Ports, Airports, ICDs / CFSs, Land Customs Stations should ensure that clearance of such fresh Fruits and Vegetables imported from Europe is allowed only after complying with the above requirements and obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate' from FSSAI.
Again Board got its spelling wrong. The Board instruction mentions the bacteria as E.Colli, but there is no such thing – it is E.Coli.
CBEC Instruction in F No. 450/60/2011-Cus. IV; Dated: June 08, 2011